Continuing 'unshakeable' US commitment to Israeli security, pursuing 'aggressive diplomacy' vis-ŕ-vis Iran, making every effort to achieve so-called ‘peace’ with Israel 'without dictating terms': this is briefly the platform of prospective Democratic candidate to the American presidential elections Barak Obama as he announced it in an interview to the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

Obama pledged that he will carry with him to the White House the 'unshakeable' commitment to the security of Israel and the friendship between the United States and Israel. "The US-Israel relationship is rooted in shared interests, shared values, shared history, and in deep friendship among our people. It is supported by a strong bipartisan consensus that I am proud to be a part of, and I will work tirelessly as president to uphold and enhance the friendship between the two countries", he said.

Obama presented his own views on Israel and the so-called “peace process”, talking about principles that will guide him. These principles are, according to him, "Israel's security must be guaranteed, the status quo is unsustainable over time and the best long-term guarantee of Israel's security is a negotiated two-state solution with the Palestinians if it can be achieved, Israel has to remain a Jewish state and the Palestinian state must be viable".

Obama said also that "Israel must have confidence that the Palestinian leadership is both committed to peace and is able to follow through on its commitments", stressing the necessity to adopt the approach of "sitting down and talking".

Answering a question concerning the American policy towards Iran, Obama emphasized that "diplomacy alone won't stop the Iranians from pursuing nuclear powers," claiming that the "gravest threat to Israel today comes from Iran, where a 'radical' regime continues to pursue the ability to build a nuclear weapon, and continues its support for 'terrorism' across the region".

"My approach to Iran will be based upon aggressive diplomacy," he said, mentioning that he "will not take the military option off the table." However, he pointed out that "under this administration, we have seen the threat grow worse, and I intend to change that course".

"The time has come to talk directly to the Iranians, and to lay out our clear terms: an end to their pursuit of nuclear weapons; an end to their support of terrorism; and an end to their threats against Israel and other countries in the region", he said. "To achieve this goal, I believe that we must be prepared to offer incentives: like the prospect of better relations and integration in the international community; as well as disincentives: like the prospect of increased sanctions," he added.

Continuing 'unshakeable' US commitment to Israeli security, pursuing 'aggressive diplomacy' vis-ŕ-vis Iran, making every effort to achieve so-called ‘peace’ with Israel 'without dictating terms': this is briefly the platform of prospective Democratic candidate to the American presidential elections Barak Obama as he announced it in an interview to the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

Obama pledged that he will carry with him to the White House the 'unshakeable' commitment to the security of Israel and the friendship between the United States and Israel. "The US-Israel relationship is rooted in shared interests, shared values, shared history, and in deep friendship among our people. It is supported by a strong bipartisan consensus that I am proud to be a part of, and I will work tirelessly as president to uphold and enhance the friendship between the two countries", he said.

Obama presented his own views on Israel and the so-called “peace process”, talking about principles that will guide him. These principles are, according to him, "Israel's security must be guaranteed, the status quo is unsustainable over time and the best long-term guarantee of Israel's security is a negotiated two-state solution with the Palestinians if it can be achieved, Israel has to remain a Jewish state and the Palestinian state must be viable".

Obama said also that "Israel must have confidence that the Palestinian leadership is both committed to peace and is able to follow through on its commitments", stressing the necessity to adopt the approach of "sitting down and talking".

Answering a question concerning the American policy towards Iran, Obama emphasized that "diplomacy alone won't stop the Iranians from pursuing nuclear powers," claiming that the "gravest threat to Israel today comes from Iran, where a 'radical' regime continues to pursue the ability to build a nuclear weapon, and continues its support for 'terrorism' across the region".

"My approach to Iran will be based upon aggressive diplomacy," he said, mentioning that he "will not take the military option off the table." However, he pointed out that "under this administration, we have seen the threat grow worse, and I intend to change that course".

"The time has come to talk directly to the Iranians, and to lay out our clear terms: an end to their pursuit of nuclear weapons; an end to their support of terrorism; and an end to their threats against Israel and other countries in the region", he said. "To achieve this goal, I believe that we must be prepared to offer incentives: like the prospect of better relations and integration in the international community; as well as disincentives: like the prospect of increased sanctions," he added.